What Elsi spoke about.

8 Jul

2026

FI Speech

Harnessing the potential of a competitive and sustainable EU Bioeconomy Strategy for EU strategic autonomy (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, independence from fossil fuels in Russia or the Middle East will not be achieved by drastically restricting the use of renewable natural resources in Europe. The bioeconomy is one of our most important means of strengthening self-sufficiency and building a stronger Europe based on renewable resources. At the same time, we reduce our dependence on imports, create jobs an…

16 Jun

2026

FI Speech

Russia’s unacceptable provocative actions and drone incursions into Romania, the Baltic states and Finland (debate)

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Mr President, Mr Kallas, even though drones have strayed into my country, Finland, Ukraine has paid the highest price during Russia's war of aggression to defend its independence. At the same time, however, it has been able to develop exceptionally strong expertise in countering drones. The Union should immediately establish closer cooperation with Ukraine in order to develop its own drone defence…

21 May

2026

FI Speech

Need for an adaptation of the EU legal framework on sustainable biofuels (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, energy security and strategic autonomy are now paramount. The EU is 60% dependent on imported energy. In addition, we are still far from the 29% target for renewable transport fuels by 2030. The EU needs to take better care of regulatory predictability. Changing the permitted raw materials is poisonous for new investments. Permit procedures and environmental impact asse…

19 May

2026

FI Speech

Presentation of the Fertilisers Action Plan (debate)

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Mr President, I would like to thank the Commissioner for presenting the long-awaited fertiliser strategy. The unfortunate fact is that solutions to fertilizer dependency, poor availability and high prices were sought far too late. Parliament’s AGRI Committee asked the Commission to tackle this problem already in the previous period, so the proposal may help in the longer term, but in the face of a…

30 Apr

2026

FI Speech

How to secure a sustainable future for the EU livestock sector in light of the need to ensure food security, farmers’ resilience and the challenges posed by animal diseases? (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, economically viable and sustainable livestock farming is a key pillar of Europe's security of supply and self-sufficiency, as well as vibrant rural areas. Continuity of livestock production in Europe must be ensured. The link between livestock and plant production is seamless and should therefore not be contrasted. Instead, we need to improve their synergies so that the…

29 Apr

2026

FI Speech

EU strategy in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilizers (joint debate)

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Mr President, the situation in the Middle East and the energy crisis are also affecting agriculture and have already weakened its operating conditions and food security in Europe. There is a shortage of inputs, costs are rising and logistics are faltering. The crisis in the food sector can no longer be ignored. Naturally, the crisis will recur in the coming growing seasons if the fertilizer crisis…

25 Mar

2026

FI Speech

Energy security, independence and supply in the geopolitical context - ensuring market stability and affordable energy for industry and citizens (debate)

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Mr President, there is one crisis after another and no one seems to be in control of the situation. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues for the fifth year, and the war in Iran has already had serious consequences for global energy markets. We still import almost 60% of our energy from outside the EU. As the war prolongs, it is quite clear that the effects will extend to the wi…

12 Nov

2025

FI Speech

The new 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework: architecture and governance (debate)

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Mr President, the change in the multiannual financial framework proposed by the Commission compared with the past is significant and therefore an open debate is needed. In an unstable world, security of supply and security are more than just iron at the border. Now, the Commission's recent proposals for amendments give hope for something better. It is important that we take care of a vibrant regio…

7 Oct

2025

FI Speech

Common agricultural policy (joint debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, the strengthening and flexibility of the EU's common agricultural policy are fundamental pillars of our security of supply. We must not make farmers and the whole sector unprofitable, and that is why the simplification of agricultural policy is welcome. Our aim must be a well-targeted simplification with a focus on future regulation. In addition to reducing the administ…

9 Sep

2025

FI Speech

Cohesion policy (joint debate)

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Mr President, the financial framework proposed by the Commission is changing EU cohesion policy in a worrying way. In the interests of simplification and efficiency, the Commission is proposing cuts in funding for both regional development and rural development, as well as increased national decision-making powers in the Member States. The regions themselves are therefore no longer in a position t…

10 Jul

2025

FI Speech

Post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, this period began very strongly with regard to agriculture and food policy. The strategic dialogue and the vision of agriculture made it clear that the importance of agriculture in this critical time of the world has finally been understood. However, it now appears that the Commission is drastically cutting funding for our food security. One of the cornerstones of overa…

5 May

2025

FI Speech

Ninth report on economic and social cohesion (debate)

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1 Apr

2025

FI Speech

Improving the implementation of cohesion policy through the mid-term review to achieve a robust cohesion policy post 2027 (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, due to the changed geopolitical situation, cohesion policy is also, quite understandably, under severe reform pressure. However, it is important that the EU continues to strive for the well-being of the regions, the equalisation of development disparities and the subsidiarity principle. They in themselves contribute to security, peace and stability. Cohesion policy must…

13 Mar

2025

FI Speech

A Vision for Agriculture and Food (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, thank you for presenting the vision for agriculture. The vision is a welcome and positive opening and we support your work in its implementation. It is important that the Commission has finally put farmers at the heart of agricultural policy and that the agricultural sector is seen as a strategically important factor for Europe in terms of competitiveness and security o…

13 Feb

2025

FI Speech

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, it is clear that the Mercosur Agreement is a legitimate and important objective in many ways. Europe needs to reform the market and strengthen its independence. That's why we need Mercosur. But it is also good to consider whether one of the cornerstones of our competitiveness – our self-sufficient, top-quality food production – is at risk at the same time. European farm…

12 Feb

2025

FI Speech

Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is almost three years away. Of course, the Ukrainians have paid the highest price for the attack, but the effects of the war are very wide-ranging. One third of EU Member States share land borders with Russia, Belarus or Ukraine. Some of these countries are in the outpost against Russian aggression. A new iron curtain has risen…

21 Jan

2025

FI Speech

Need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet, damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, the activities of the Russian shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea are a prime example of hybrid influencing. Our submarine infrastructure has been an easy target for sabotage also from Finland's point of view. Large areas of the sea are difficult to guard, and it is difficult to catch the culprits in the act. The strengthening of NATO's presence and increased control in the …

18 Dec

2024

FI Speech

Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, farmers' resilience and good working conditions are the cornerstone of food security in Europe. These are now under threat, as the economic profitability of the farms has been weak for a long time and it will inevitably also be reflected in coping with heavy work. In agriculture, the number of accidents is also significantly higher than in other sectors. Efforts have al…

18 Dec

2024

FI Speech

Restoring the EU’s competitive edge – the need for an impact assessment on the Green Deal policies (topical debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent in our daily lives and in line with forecasts. The objectives of the Green Deal are therefore even more important. The complexity and scope of the package is unprecedented in the history of the EU and covers almost all policy areas. Last year, we adopted a huge amount of legislation, the implementation of …

27 Nov

2024

FI Speech

Topical debate (Rule 169) - Budapest Declaration on the New European Competitiveness Deal - A future for the farming and manufacturing sectors in the EU (topical debate)

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Mr President, it is clear that Europe's competitiveness must be strengthened, as well as our independence and resilience. The EU's climate objectives must be maintained and regulation must be put into practice, taking into account the different natural conditions in the Member States. With regard to the agricultural and natural resources sector, the implementation must be fair, as they are the one…

14 Nov

2024

FI Speech

Enhancing Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness (debate)

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Mr President, I would like to thank President Niinistö for his impressive report, on the basis of which it is good to continue the debate. The essential idea of comprehensive security is that everyone has a role to play in building the security of our societies. All actors in society must be involved in: the authorities, the business sector, the third sector and, of course, the citizens themselves…

16 Sep

2024

FI Speech

Outcome of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture (debate)

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Mr President, I would like to thank the Commissioner, both on my own behalf and on behalf of my Renew Group, for the final report and its presentation. It is good that the position of the food supply chain and farmers is now firmly embedded in President von der Leyen's new term. The working group's report is a comprehensive and good basis for starting a dialogue towards the new financial framework…

27 Feb

2024

FI Speech

Driving licences (debate)

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Mr President, the continuous improvement of road safety in the EU is essential, and this is where the review of the driving licence directive is at the centre. The legislation affects a large number of EU citizens and it is therefore important for Parliament's position to be balanced and rational. The rules can be harmonised where it makes sense, for example in relation to a digital driving licenc…

7 Feb

2024

FI Speech

Empowering farmers and rural communities - a dialogue towards sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture (debate)

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Mr President, it is self-evident to me, as a former farmer, that the farm will be left in a better condition for the next generation than we received it ourselves. We decision-makers need to learn from this and do everything we can to improve the competitiveness and attractiveness of the agricultural sector. You cannot demand endlessly from farmers without a guarantee of subsistence. It is ultimat…

17 Jan

2024

FI Speech

Improving the socio-economic situation of farmers and rural areas, ensuring fair incomes, food security as well as a just transition (debate)

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Mr President, in general, such a patient agricultural sector has risen to barricades across Europe, and not without reason. Part of the reason is the green transition agenda, whose fair promotion is important in itself. It should be remembered that farmers and the natural resources sector must not be penalised by the transition. On the contrary, we need to incentivise, because the natural resource…